TX: Having a dilemma with application eligibility issues

I'm in the process of applying to the Texas BON for the RN license (NCLEX-RN). However, several things came up. I have about 3 eligibility issues counting against me, all outside the state of Texas. I had a juvy record when I was 12 (misdeamenor) and I'm unsure if that should be reported. I also have a traffic infraction for passing school bus with red lights and recently got a speeding ticket. The last 2 infractions had a bail fine greater than >$300.

Now, I read that the Texas BON takes up to 3-6 months to fully review an application that has eligibility issues. That concerns me, because after graduation, I was planning on going into an RN-BSN program as soon as I pass the NCLEX. Can anyone provide advice at this point? Any points that I'm missing?

1) You could call and ask if these are mandatory reports. If they are mandatory reports you MUST report. It is to easy to be found out and if it ever was discovered that you did not report you would be disciplined.
2) Most job applications ask if you have ever had anything against your license and that would really make obtaining a job difficult.
3) Nursing is based on trust and making the right choice, doing the right thing even if it is difficult. Start your nursing career taking responsibility for your mistakes and you will be a stronger better nurse.
4) Just because they say it will take a long time it may not. It depends on how many applications with issues they have. Think about how many don't have issues. They could have to wait longer than those who have issues as a different person handles them.
You will be able to start a program for RN-BSN later. Let us know how you do. It is great that you are seeking advice. That is a sign of a good nurse also!

Thanks for the reply! I found out that I don't have to report Class C misdeamenor traffic violations! It says on the application I can exclude. Also, the juvenile record that I have I don't have to report. And it is also sealed.

Thanks for the reply! I found out that I don't have to report Class C misdeamenor traffic violations! It says on the application I can exclude. Also, the juvenile record that I have I don't have to report. And it is also sealed.

Applicants must be able to answer "No" to the following questions in order to use the online application. All other applicants may download a complete application packet. Review of applicants with eligibility issues can take three (3) to six (6) month to complete.

For any criminal offense, including those pending appeal, have you:

A. been convicted of a misdemeanor?
B. been convicted of a felony?
C. pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?
D. received deferred adjudication?
E. been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not adjudicated guilty?
F. been sentenced to serve jail or prison time? court-ordered confinement?
G. been granted pre-trial diversion?
H. been arrested or have any pending criminal charges?
I. been cited or charged with any violation of the law?
J. been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military judgment/punishment/action?

(You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations.)NOTE: Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged or sealed offenses, arrests, tickets, or citations need not be disclosed, it is your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest, ticket or citation has, in fact, been expunged or sealed. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Failure to reveal an offense, arrest, ticket, or citation that is not in fact expunged or sealed, will at a minimum, subject your license to a disciplinary fine. Non-disclosure of relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character.

NOTE: Orders of Non-Disclosure: Pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code 552.142(b), if you have criminal matters that are the subject of an order of non-disclosure you are not required to reveal those criminal matters on this form. However, a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure may become a character and fitness issue. Pursuant to other sections of the Gov't Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Board is entitled to access criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure. If the Board discovers a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure, even if you properly did not reveal that matter, the Board may require you to provide information about any conduct that raises issues of character.

Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?

Has any licensing authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled, accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a license, certificate or multi-state privilege held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, reprimanded or otherwise disciplined you?

*Within the past five (5) years have you been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any other drug?

*Pursuant to the Occupations Code 301.207, information regarding a person's diagnosis or treatment for a physical condition, mental condition, or chemical dependency is confidential to the same extent that information collected as part of an investigation is confidential under the Occupations Code 301.466.

Thank you! The thing that gets me though, are those questions that ask about eligibility and marking "no." For example, it asks if I got convicted with a misdeamenor and my answer to that would be "Yes." However, it says to exclude Class C traffic violations. Do I just mark "No?"

I too am going through eligibility issues with the board and is approaching my 6 months in May. Yes you want to report your Juvi record even if it sealed. The background chdeck they do pulls everything, even sealed records. And yes it is taking close to six months to hear from the board. My advice, disclose everything and let them decide if it is worth reporting or not. Alot of us applicants are getting the boot because we don't report charges we think is minor. My case is pending and I self report in August and I still havent had the final recommendation yet.

I actually gave in and ended up self-reporting. That is an INSANELY LONG TIME. I just submitted mine last Thursday. I was hoping to take it by August but if it is going to take that long, then I might as well apply to another state. Geez!